Tag: Parliamentary Question

  • Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Charlotte Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlotte Leslie on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 10 April 2014, Official Report, column 330W, on medical records: data protection, for what reason the Health and Social Care Information Centre’s register of approved data releases does not contain entries on the Data Access Advisory Group (DAAG) register of approved applications for (a) Department of Health Dental and Eye Care Analytical Team DAAG application reference 240413-a, (b) HCV Research UK DAAG application reference MR1316, (c) Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust section 251 notification DAAG application reference MR1320 and (d) UK Biobank DAAG application reference MR1109.

    Dr Daniel Poulter

    The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) register as published on 3 April 2014 only covers data releases approved and data released by the HSCIC within the period 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2013.

    The applications the hon. Member refers to have been approved by the Data Access Advisory Group’s (DAAG) but are not included on the HSCIC Register of Approved data releases as they are not within the scope outlined for the following reasons:

    (a) Department of Health Dental and Eye Care Analytical Team DAAG application reference 240413-a, this request was for additional access for an individual field by Department of Health through the Business Objects on-line system, access to which was approved prior to 1 April 2014. This means of access has subsequently been replaced, and the Department’s access to the new system is covered by row id 373 in the approved release register;

    (b) HCV Research UK DAAG application reference MR1316 – the release of data to this customer has not yet been approved by the HSCIC;

    (c) Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust section 251 notification DAAG application reference MR1320 – the applicant has received no data from the HSCIC within the time period; and

    (d) UK Biobank DAAG application reference MR1109 – this was approved prior to 1 April 2013.

  • Jeremy Corbyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Jeremy Corbyn – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeremy Corbyn on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria are used to commission Ofsted to carry out spot inspections on schools.

    Mr David Laws

    Ofsted has been carrying out Section 8 inspections at schools with serious behavioural problems since January 2014. No-notice inspections can also be triggered by parental complaints or safeguarding concerns.

  • John Mann – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    John Mann – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Mann on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many private and third sector bidders for privatised probation work employ ex-offenders; and of these how many employ ex-prisoners.

    Jeremy Wright

    In mid December, the bidders who passed the first stage of the competition to win the regional rehabilitation contracts were announced. The list includes a diverse mix of private and voluntary sector partnerships with more than 50 organisations represented – from charities experienced in tackling a range of issues affecting offenders, to small and large British businesses and experienced multinationals. All of these Tier One bidders have experience in working with offenders or across the wider Criminal Justice System.

    The successful delivery of this competition does not depend on or require the Programme to hold information on how many private and third sector organisations bidding for Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) contracts employ ex-offenders or ex-prisoners. Such information would be included in bidder’s submissions if it was deemed relevant by that bidder. We have a strong and diverse market and anticipate that the bids we receive to run CRCs will be of a high standard. Providers will need to demonstrate in their bids how they would deliver high quality rehabilitative support to offenders, and they will be held to account to deliver these services in their contracts.

  • John Glen – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    John Glen – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by John Glen on 2014-06-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of schools which will be unable to provide universal free school meals for infant children from September 2014.

    Mr David Laws

    From September, all state-funded schools in England will be under a statutory duty to offer a free school lunch to all infant pupils. Based on the feedback we are receiving, the vast majority of schools are already on track to deliver this policy and we are supporting the other schools to do so.

  • David Anderson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    David Anderson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Anderson on 2014-05-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will examine Pfizers’ involvement in the development of rucaparib and publish the findings of that examination.

    Mr David Willetts

    It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

  • Peter Bottomley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    Peter Bottomley – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Bottomley on 2014-05-13.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reduction he expects in the Cayman Islands government budget and on the Cayman Islands government provision of funds this year and next to the Cayman Turtle Farm; and if he will make a statement.

    Mark Simmonds

    The Cayman Islands Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office signed in November 2011 the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility. This sets out the agreed principles for credible and sustainable financial management, including limits for public borrowing. The Cayman Islands Government is responsible for decisions on taxation and public spending, including deciding on the allocation of the resources to the turtle farm.

  • Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    Chris Ruane – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Deputy Prime Minister

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Ruane on 2014-05-12.

    To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what training has been given to electoral registration officers in the implementation of fixed penalty notices for non-registration.

    Greg Clark

    It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

  • Alison Seabeck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Alison Seabeck – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Seabeck on 2014-06-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of seafarer fatigue on maritime safety; and what steps his Department is taking to enforce manning levels on vessels.

    Stephen Hammond

    The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch were active participants in the multi-partner HORIZON research project, an EC-funded study, which used simulators to identify the effect on seafarers of working hours and interrupted rest. The project report demonstrates conclusively the links between certain watch keeping patterns and the performance of seafarers (looking particularly at “sleepiness”).

    The Government is committed to reducing the effects of fatigue on maritime safety and the health of seafarers. The output from HORIZON has been used to provide practical guidance to seafarers. The MCA remains involved with research on seafarer fatigue with other industry stakeholders.

    MCA Surveyors routinely inspect UK ships and foreign flag ships in UK waters and verify hours of work records for compliance with the regulations, and check ships are safely manned in accordance the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

    The UK is leading the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control Concentrated Inspection Campaign to ensure compliance with the hours of rest requirements of watchkeepers under STCW which will run from 1 September 2014 to 30 November 2014.

  • Mark Williams – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Mark Williams – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Williams on 2014-06-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if his Department will provide incentives to developers to ensure that new homes planned for construction in 2014-15 will be (a) wheelchair accessible and (b) built to lifetime homes standards.

    Stephen Williams

    Part M of the Building Regulations set minimum access standards for new homes. The Government plans to introduce an optional level of accessibility above these minimum access standards which will set out criteria for age friendly, accessible and adaptable standards. The Government also plans to set out within Part M an optional standard which will set out criteria related to the specific needs of wheelchair adaptable and accessible housing.

    Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework already sets out that Local Plans should take into account the current and future needs of range of households including older and disabled people.

    This combination of Building Regulations and national planning policy sets a robust framework to promote adaptable and accessible housing.

  • Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2014-06-05.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the Government’s assessment is of the effectiveness of warning labels on alcoholic beverages regarding drinking during pregnancy; and what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of making such labels mandatory.

    Jane Ellison

    Research in the evidence around the effectiveness of alcohol harm reduction communications and related campaigns suggests that labelling and point of sale information can have an impact on consumption, in conjunction with broader campaigns to raise consumer awareness and education on the health risks linked to alcohol consumption.

    As part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, alcohol retailers and producers have committed to putting an agreed warning or a pregnancy warning logo on 80% of labels on bottles and cans by the end of 2013. An independent market survey is underway to measure compliance. This level of coverage should allow the majority of consumers to see the pregnancy warning and logo.